Herolike

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. exhibiting qualities that evoke the image of a hero, notably courage and self-sacrifice, while embodying the virtues associated with valorous deeds and noble intentions
2. Showing traits commonly admired in heroes, such as bravery and honor
3. Displaying behavior and attributes typically linked to heroic figures, like courage and admirable resolve

Etymology: "Herolike" is about as transparent as English compounds get: the noun "hero" joined to the suffix "-like", which attaches to nouns to mean "resembling" or "having the qualities of". The pattern is old and productive. English has used "-like" this way since Old English times, and it produces countless formations such as "childlike", "godlike" and "ladylike", where the thing named is held up as a model of certain traits. What makes "herolike" worth a moment is the noun it starts from. "Hero" came into English through Latin from Greek "hērōs", a word that originally named a demigod or a legendary figure of the heroic age, such as Achilles or Odysseus, rather than simply a brave person. The shift from a specific mythic category to a general admiring label for courage happened gradually, so "herolike" carries both senses: it can describe behaviour that echoes the epic ideal of the warrior-champion, or simply conduct that looks as brave and admirable as a hero's.

Synonyms: heroic, valiant, gallant, noble, brave

Antonyms: cowardly, timid, fearful, weak, unheroic